Atomic Kitten
Encyclopedia
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool
, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey
, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton
, Liz McClarnon
, and Jenny Frost
. Heidi Range
and Kerry Katona
were two original members, however, they were replaced respectively by Hamilton in 1999, and Frost in 2001.
The band had three UK number one singles; "Whole Again
" later recorded by Play, the fourth best-selling single by a girl group of all time; "Eternal Flame
", a song originally recorded by The Bangles
, and "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)
", a song originally recorded by The Paragons
and later by Blondie
. They also had two UK number one albums, Right Now
, a re-issue of their debut album, and Feels So Good, both going double platinum in the United Kingdom. Atomic Kitten also managed to gain numerous top ten hits across Europe (in particular German-speaking Europe
), Asia, Oceania and South Africa.
The band announced they were splitting in April 2004 although they got back together a year later to re-release their single "Cradle"
, and also made one off appearances in 2006 and 2008.
. The original line-up featured, Liz McClarnon, Kerry Katona and Heidi Range (now in the group Sugababes
), but Range decided to quit due to artistic differences, and was replaced by Natasha Hamilton. This line-up was finalised in 1999.
The group's first single, "Right Now", debuted in December 1999 and reached the UK Top 10. After their initial success, Atomic Kitten performed an Asian tour and scored their first number one hit there with "Cradle". The album, also titled Right Now
, was first released in Japan on 16 March 2000, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2000 with a slightly modified track list. In 2000, the group also recorded a cover version of "The Locomotion
" for the movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad
.
Right Now was unsuccessful upon its first release, peaking only at #39 in the UK album chart. Initially, there were no plans to focus on the global market and Atomic Kitten's record label, Innocent Records
, was even considering dropping them because of their limited success. However, the record company were persuaded to allow the group to record one more single.
The single, "Whole Again
", became their first number-one hit in the United Kingdom, and stayed at the top for four consecutive weeks. Due to this success, "Whole Again" was released globally, and reached number one in eighteen other countries, including six weeks in Germany and New Zealand. The song and video for "Whole Again" originally featured Kerry Katona; however, she left the group several days prior to the number-one position due to of her pregnancy. Jenny Frost replaced Katona in the line-up and the single was re-recorded. This led to the decision to partially re-record and re-release Right Now, which then went to number-one in the UK on August 2001, and was certified double platinum. The album also served well internationally, reaching the top ten in many European countries, including Germany and Denmark.
Their next single, "Eternal Flame", a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles
, became their second number-one single in the UK and New Zealand. It became their biggest single in France peaking at number two and eventually went gold. In late 2001 the band announced they would be releasing a final single from the repackaged album, entitled "You are". A video was recorded and promo singles were sent out to radio, but the single was shortly shelved, never getting a full commercial release.
The first single off the album was "It's OK!". Even though this song performed well in the charts, securing a number three position in the United Kingdom, it was the next single, "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)", a remake of the 1965 song by The Paragons
(also made famous by Blondie
in 1980), which attained Atomic Kitten their third number-one single in the UK and New Zealand. The single became one of the Kitten's largest hits. In April 2002, Hamilton announced that she was pregnant, but rather than leave the group, she opted to continue with the scheduled 2002 tour. Hamilton filmed the music video for "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)", and made an appearance at Party in the Park
before finally going on pregnancy leave.
During January and February 2003, Atomic Kitten toured around Southeast Asia, visiting Singapore, Thailand, and Korea. Hamilton, who had given birth to her son, Josh, on 24 August 2002, decided to take her newborn baby with her on the tour as well.
and managed to debut and peak at number forty-two. However, the single plummeted to number eighty-eight in its second week. In addition, after the album only managed to peak at #102 on the US Billboard 200, it was decided the group would focus solely on the European, Oceanian, South African and Asian markets.
Before recording their third album, Kool and the Gang approached the group about a collaboration for their album of duets, Odyssey. Kool and the Gang wanted to record an updated version of their hit "Ladies Night
" and were looking for a girl group to sing the lyrics. Atomic Kitten liked the idea and enquired whether they could use it for their next album which was subsequently named Ladies Night
in honour of this collaboration.
Their first single of the album, excluding "Be with You
", was "If You Come to Me
". It peaked at number three on the UK top 40. Atomic Kitten spent late 2002 and early 2003 in the studio recording their third and final studio album. Up until the recording of Ladies Night, the group mainly relied on songwriters, though they had occasionally co-written songs featured on their albums. While recording Ladies Night, they decided to be directly involved in the creation of eight of the fifteen songs. Ladies Night was released on 10 November 2003, and peaked at number five in the UK album chart. It was certified Platinum for sales in excess of 300,000 copies.
In early 2004, a tour to support the Ladies Night album and the upcoming release of their Greatest Hits
album was planned. Shortly before the tour kicked off, the group announced they would be taking an extended break after the completion of the tour.
2005 to release the charity single "Cradle 2005", a new version of the original song from their album Right Now which was a number one hit in Asia back in 2000. "Cradle 2005" peaked at number ten, selling 35,000 copies worldwide, with proceeds going to World Vision
.
In 2005, Atomic Kitten was featured on the soundtrack of Disney's Mulan II
with the song "(I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls". In 2005, they also performed together in Krakow
on 28 August at the Coca-Cola
SoundWave Festival.
In 2006 they released a cover version of The Farm classic "All together now". It became a charity single for the Soccer World Cup and was released only in german speaking countries. It successfully peaked inside the German Top 20.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey
Andy McCluskey
George Andrew "Andy" McCluskey is the lead singer, bass guitarist, and primary songwriter for the band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark ....
, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton
Natasha Hamilton
Natasha Maria Hamilton is a British singer-songwriter, dancer and occasional stage actress. She was a member of Atomic Kitten from 1999 to 2008.-Early life and career:...
, Liz McClarnon
Liz McClarnon
Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical....
, and Jenny Frost
Jenny Frost
Jennifer "Jenny" Frost is an English singer, dancer, television presenter and model. She was a member of girl group Precious before replacing Kerry Katona in chart topping band Atomic Kitten from 2001 until they split in 2008. Frost presented makeunder show Snog Marry Avoid? from 2008 to 2011...
. Heidi Range
Heidi Range
Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
and Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona
Kerry Jayne Elizabeth Katona is an English media personality and singer best known for her television work, predominantly in light entertainment and reality shows. She has also been a pop singer with girl group Atomic Kitten, a magazine columnist, an actress, and the author of ghostwritten books...
were two original members, however, they were replaced respectively by Hamilton in 1999, and Frost in 2001.
The band had three UK number one singles; "Whole Again
Whole Again
"Whole Again" is the fifth single released from British popband Atomic Kitten's debut studio album, Right Now, and the first single released from the album in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The group persauded Virgin Records to release the track as a tribute to band member Kerry...
" later recorded by Play, the fourth best-selling single by a girl group of all time; "Eternal Flame
Eternal Flame (song)
"Eternal Flame" is a song by The Bangles from their 1988 album Everything. It became a hit single, when released in 1989, peaking at number one in the charts in nine countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was written by popular songwriters Billy Steinberg and...
", a song originally recorded by The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
, and "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)
The Tide Is High
"The Tide Is High" is a 1967 song written by John Holt and originally performed by The Paragons with John Holt as lead singer. The song went mainly unnoticed in the rest of the world until it was rediscovered in 1980 when it became a US/UK number 1 hit for the band Blondie...
", a song originally recorded by The Paragons
The Paragons
The Paragons were a rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, active in the 1960s. Their most famous track was "The Tide Is High", written by band member, John Holt.-Career:...
and later by Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
. They also had two UK number one albums, Right Now
Right Now (Atomic Kitten album)
Right Now is the first album by Atomic Kitten and features the hit singles "Right Now", "See Ya", "I Want Your Love", "Follow Me" and "Whole Again". It was the first and last album to feature original member Kerry Katona.-Album information:...
, a re-issue of their debut album, and Feels So Good, both going double platinum in the United Kingdom. Atomic Kitten also managed to gain numerous top ten hits across Europe (in particular German-speaking Europe
German-speaking Europe
The German language is spoken in a number of countries and territories in West, Central and Eastern Europe...
), Asia, Oceania and South Africa.
The band announced they were splitting in April 2004 although they got back together a year later to re-release their single "Cradle"
Cradle (song)
"Cradle 2005" is a one-off charity single released by British pop group Atomic Kitten in 2005, in aid of World Vision. It is a remixed version of a song that was previously included on their debut album, Right Now. Cradle 2005 subsequently appears on the group's third compilation album, The...
, and also made one off appearances in 2006 and 2008.
1997–2001: Beginnings and Right Now
Atomic Kitten was first conceived in 1997 by Andy McCluskey of 1980s band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
. The original line-up featured, Liz McClarnon, Kerry Katona and Heidi Range (now in the group Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
), but Range decided to quit due to artistic differences, and was replaced by Natasha Hamilton. This line-up was finalised in 1999.
The group's first single, "Right Now", debuted in December 1999 and reached the UK Top 10. After their initial success, Atomic Kitten performed an Asian tour and scored their first number one hit there with "Cradle". The album, also titled Right Now
Right Now (Atomic Kitten album)
Right Now is the first album by Atomic Kitten and features the hit singles "Right Now", "See Ya", "I Want Your Love", "Follow Me" and "Whole Again". It was the first and last album to feature original member Kerry Katona.-Album information:...
, was first released in Japan on 16 March 2000, and subsequently released in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2000 with a slightly modified track list. In 2000, the group also recorded a cover version of "The Locomotion
The Loco-Motion
"The Loco-Motion" is a 1962 pop song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The song is notable for appearing in the American Top 5 three times – each time in a different decade: for Little Eva in 1962 ; for Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 ; and for Kylie Minogue in 1988 "The...
" for the movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced...
.
Right Now was unsuccessful upon its first release, peaking only at #39 in the UK album chart. Initially, there were no plans to focus on the global market and Atomic Kitten's record label, Innocent Records
Innocent Records
Innocent Records is a pop record label created to cater to for EMI's Virgin Records more Pop oriented acts. Following the success of the Spice Girls, Virgin Records decided to delve into the Pop market. In doing so they poached Hugh Goldsmith from RCA Records...
, was even considering dropping them because of their limited success. However, the record company were persuaded to allow the group to record one more single.
The single, "Whole Again
Whole Again
"Whole Again" is the fifth single released from British popband Atomic Kitten's debut studio album, Right Now, and the first single released from the album in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The group persauded Virgin Records to release the track as a tribute to band member Kerry...
", became their first number-one hit in the United Kingdom, and stayed at the top for four consecutive weeks. Due to this success, "Whole Again" was released globally, and reached number one in eighteen other countries, including six weeks in Germany and New Zealand. The song and video for "Whole Again" originally featured Kerry Katona; however, she left the group several days prior to the number-one position due to of her pregnancy. Jenny Frost replaced Katona in the line-up and the single was re-recorded. This led to the decision to partially re-record and re-release Right Now, which then went to number-one in the UK on August 2001, and was certified double platinum. The album also served well internationally, reaching the top ten in many European countries, including Germany and Denmark.
Their next single, "Eternal Flame", a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
, became their second number-one single in the UK and New Zealand. It became their biggest single in France peaking at number two and eventually went gold. In late 2001 the band announced they would be releasing a final single from the repackaged album, entitled "You are". A video was recorded and promo singles were sent out to radio, but the single was shortly shelved, never getting a full commercial release.
2002–03: Feels So Good
Following the success of Right Now, a new album, Feels So Good, was recorded. The songwriting and production agreement with Andy McCluskey was an increasing source of tension within the group, and the girls decided to terminate the contract with McCluskey halfway through the recording of the album.The first single off the album was "It's OK!". Even though this song performed well in the charts, securing a number three position in the United Kingdom, it was the next single, "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)", a remake of the 1965 song by The Paragons
The Paragons
The Paragons were a rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, active in the 1960s. Their most famous track was "The Tide Is High", written by band member, John Holt.-Career:...
(also made famous by Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
in 1980), which attained Atomic Kitten their third number-one single in the UK and New Zealand. The single became one of the Kitten's largest hits. In April 2002, Hamilton announced that she was pregnant, but rather than leave the group, she opted to continue with the scheduled 2002 tour. Hamilton filmed the music video for "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)", and made an appearance at Party in the Park
Party in the Park
Party in the Park is the generic name given to music concerts organised by various radio stations and local authorities in England and Wales, typically in large parks during the summer.-Leeds' Party in the Park:...
before finally going on pregnancy leave.
During January and February 2003, Atomic Kitten toured around Southeast Asia, visiting Singapore, Thailand, and Korea. Hamilton, who had given birth to her son, Josh, on 24 August 2002, decided to take her newborn baby with her on the tour as well.
2003–2004: Ladies Night and split
In April 2003, the group released the album, Atomic Kitten in the United States. Until that time, the group had not focused on the American market, and the album consisted of tracks from their first two albums, Right Now and Feels So Good. Promotion for the album began with the single, "The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)", appearing on the soundtrack for the Disney film, The Lizzie McGuire MovieThe Lizzie McGuire Movie
The Lizzie McGuire Movie is a 2003 Walt Disney Pictures comedy film based on the Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire which was released on May 2, 2003, by Walt Disney Pictures, it was the first Disney Channel series to have a movie for Walt Disney Pictures. The film was directed by Jim Fall with...
and managed to debut and peak at number forty-two. However, the single plummeted to number eighty-eight in its second week. In addition, after the album only managed to peak at #102 on the US Billboard 200, it was decided the group would focus solely on the European, Oceanian, South African and Asian markets.
Before recording their third album, Kool and the Gang approached the group about a collaboration for their album of duets, Odyssey. Kool and the Gang wanted to record an updated version of their hit "Ladies Night
Ladies' Night (song)
"Ladies' Night" is the hit title track single on the album Ladies' Night released in 1979 by Kool and the Gang. The song as a single was a success, and became a radio staple...
" and were looking for a girl group to sing the lyrics. Atomic Kitten liked the idea and enquired whether they could use it for their next album which was subsequently named Ladies Night
Ladies Night (Atomic Kitten album)
Ladies Night is the fourth and final studio album by Atomic Kitten. Released in November 10, 2003, it features the singles "If You Come to Me", "Be with You", "Ladies Night" and "Someone Like Me/Right Now" .-Album information:Up to now the girlband mainly relied on songwriters and sometimes...
in honour of this collaboration.
Their first single of the album, excluding "Be with You
Be with You (Atomic Kitten song)
"Be with You" is a song from girl group Atomic Kitten's second studio album, Feels So Good. The song was a big hit in Australia, peaking at #10 and #15 in New Zealand. "Be With You" samples Electric Light Orchestra's song "Last Train to London", using both tune and the lyrics from the chorus, "I...
", was "If You Come to Me
If You Come To Me
"If You Come to Me" is a song by British girl-group Atomic Kitten. It was released as the group's twelth overall single on 27 October 2003. The song was the lead single from the group's third studio album, Ladies Night, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and number thirty in...
". It peaked at number three on the UK top 40. Atomic Kitten spent late 2002 and early 2003 in the studio recording their third and final studio album. Up until the recording of Ladies Night, the group mainly relied on songwriters, though they had occasionally co-written songs featured on their albums. While recording Ladies Night, they decided to be directly involved in the creation of eight of the fifteen songs. Ladies Night was released on 10 November 2003, and peaked at number five in the UK album chart. It was certified Platinum for sales in excess of 300,000 copies.
In early 2004, a tour to support the Ladies Night album and the upcoming release of their Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Atomic Kitten album)
The Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by the British girl group Atomic Kitten on 5 April 2004. It contains all of the group's chart hits, with the exception of their UK Top 20 hit "Follow Me" from 2000...
album was planned. Shortly before the tour kicked off, the group announced they would be taking an extended break after the completion of the tour.
2004–08: Reunions
On 23 January 2004, Hamilton decided to devote more time to her young son and wanted to take a hiatus from the group. Atomic Kitten released the single "Someone Like Me/Right Now 2004" as a "goodbye" to their fans, but were reunited on Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
2005 to release the charity single "Cradle 2005", a new version of the original song from their album Right Now which was a number one hit in Asia back in 2000. "Cradle 2005" peaked at number ten, selling 35,000 copies worldwide, with proceeds going to World Vision
World Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
.
In 2005, Atomic Kitten was featured on the soundtrack of Disney's Mulan II
Mulan II
Mulan II is a 2004 American direct-to-video Disney animated feature directed by Darrell Rooney and Lynne Southerl and is a sequel to the 1998 animated film Mulan. The entire cast from the first film returned, except for Eddie Murphy , Miriam Margolyes , Chris Sanders and Matthew Wilder...
with the song "(I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls". In 2005, they also performed together in Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
on 28 August at the Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
SoundWave Festival.
In 2006 they released a cover version of The Farm classic "All together now". It became a charity single for the Soccer World Cup and was released only in german speaking countries. It successfully peaked inside the German Top 20.
Members
| Member | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heidi Range Heidi Range Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released... (1997–1999) |
||||||||||||||
| Kerry Katona Kerry Katona Kerry Jayne Elizabeth Katona is an English media personality and singer best known for her television work, predominantly in light entertainment and reality shows. She has also been a pop singer with girl group Atomic Kitten, a magazine columnist, an actress, and the author of ghostwritten books... (1997–2001) |
||||||||||||||
| Liz McClarnon Liz McClarnon Elizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical.... (1997–2008) |
||||||||||||||
| Natasha Hamilton Natasha Hamilton Natasha Maria Hamilton is a British singer-songwriter, dancer and occasional stage actress. She was a member of Atomic Kitten from 1999 to 2008.-Early life and career:... (1999–2008) |
||||||||||||||
| Jenny Frost Jenny Frost Jennifer "Jenny" Frost is an English singer, dancer, television presenter and model. She was a member of girl group Precious before replacing Kerry Katona in chart topping band Atomic Kitten from 2001 until they split in 2008. Frost presented makeunder show Snog Marry Avoid? from 2008 to 2011... (2001–2008) |
||||||||||||||
Studio albums
- Right NowRight Now (Atomic Kitten album)Right Now is the first album by Atomic Kitten and features the hit singles "Right Now", "See Ya", "I Want Your Love", "Follow Me" and "Whole Again". It was the first and last album to feature original member Kerry Katona.-Album information:...
(2000) - Feels So Good (2002)
- Ladies NightLadies Night (Atomic Kitten album)Ladies Night is the fourth and final studio album by Atomic Kitten. Released in November 10, 2003, it features the singles "If You Come to Me", "Be with You", "Ladies Night" and "Someone Like Me/Right Now" .-Album information:Up to now the girlband mainly relied on songwriters and sometimes...
(2003)
Compilation albums
- Atomic Kitten (2003)
- The Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Atomic Kitten album)The Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by the British girl group Atomic Kitten on 5 April 2004. It contains all of the group's chart hits, with the exception of their UK Top 20 hit "Follow Me" from 2000...
(2004) - The CollectionThe Collection (Atomic Kitten album)The Collection is a compilation album by Atomic Kitten and consists of singles, B-sides and album tracks and was released as a special album covering their musical career from 2001 until 2005....
(2005) - Access All Areas: Remixed and B-Sides (2006)
- Essential (2007)